Mbetter than a long demonstration, a test. The one scored by the Bordelais, Sunday evening in Toulouse, on the occasion of their surprise victory against their tormentors during the last Top 14 final. Long before Maxime Lucu flattened the ball in the in-goal, continued When Louis Bielle-Biarrey overran after 20 minutes of play, there was a ruck. Or rather, a counter-ruck. A phase of play allowing us to steal the ball from Paul Graou and initiate a winning turnover. A model of the genre appreciates Christophe Laussucq.
“There are four of us in this ruck: it’s a bit like honey and the bees,” describes the technician in charge of defensive rucks at UBB. “Everyone is rushing in, because we see that there is an opportunity. This ruck is perfect! » Thomas Ramos perhaps had this action in mind when he pointed out, directly, the inadequacies of his team: “They put a lot of intensity into it (in the rucks). It reminds us that we cannot afford not to have maximum intensity in these phases. »
Why exhume this particular action? Because it perfectly illustrates the importance now taken by this phase of play. A dimension which finds its explanation first in accounting considerations observes Christophe Laussucq, taking the example of his team’s last match: “There is perhaps -to have had 200 rucks when there were only five or six scrums and ten touches. » In charge of this phase of play in Pau, Thomas Domingo insists: “It’s the one we experience the most in a match. »
“It’s a bit like honey and the bees […]. Everyone comes rushing in, because we see that there is an opportunity”
This phase of conquest is crucial. Because it allows a team’s game to be put to music when it is “digested” in less than three seconds. And because, conversely, it allows you to slow down the opposing animation in its defensive version. The victory of the All Blacks against Ireland in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup, or that of Toulouse against Leinster in the last Champions Cup final, attest to this: the fate of a match can very well tie at the height of the lawn.
This time the action smiled on the people of Bordeaux. But having lost in Lyon, during the 2nd day, following a counter-ruck, they are well placed to measure the consistency of the assertion. “A ruck is so many opportunities to stop the attack, to slow it down, or to change “status” (Editor’s note, from defender to attacker). The best balls are turnover balls,” explains Christophe Laussucq. “It’s the most difficult zone to referee, to play. But it is the most essential point in rugby. »
The question of interpretation
You still have to know how to understand it. First by taking the advantage line, to be the quickest to intervene: “When you are tackled, you cannot contest: it is therefore the priority”, insists Christophe Laussucq. Then, by keeping your ideas clear. “Analysis of the situation is essential. This involves scanning the combat zone,” insists Thomas Domingo: “Is the tackler out, is the ball attackable? It requires a lot of precision in action. You have to be very clean. »
In charge of the defensive aspect, Christophe Laussucq sets a basic rule: “Attack all rucks. » A phrase that resembles a slogan which imposes the idea of not leaving any easy ball to the opponent. But we still have to deal with a central point: arbitral interpretation.
While the rule and guidelines are common, their application may differ slightly depending on who is holding the whistle. Now, teams are more often looking to gain the central line above the ball rather than systematically trying to scratch it. “Some referees are perhaps a little more lenient on offensive support,” notes Christophe Laussucq. “In the way we prepare for matches, we take care. During the match, we may also have to pass instructions to the players. »
The exercise is tricky. But a counter-ruck always brings a gain. Even when it is not a question of points insists Thomas Domingo: “The psychological aspect is fundamental. »
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